Former gang member Joshua Molina served 14 years of incarceration. After his parole, Molina was at risk of experiencing homelessness. However, with assistance from the LA:RISE program and EWDD’s WorkSource Center partner Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), Joshua was able to re-enter the workforce.

Through the guidance of Employee Support Coordinator Sal Y Barra, Molina was enrolled in 250 hours of paid work experience and job engagement training. This job training allowed Joshua to earn his OSHO 10 certification, which certifies him to go into construction; the income provided was used to support his family and pay back rent to prevent homelessness; and the skills acquired have allowed him to pursue employment with the City of Los Angeles.

EWDD is a leadership team partner of LA:RISE, an innovative, collaborative partnership that unites the City and County of Los Angeles’ Workforce Development System with non-profit social enterprises and for-profit employers to help people with high barriers to employment get good jobs and stay employed.

The City’s WorkSource Centers and LA:RISE prioritize individuals recently released from prison, the unsheltered or those at risk of homelessness, and youth ages 18-24 who are neither in school nor employed. After working in a transitional job at a social enterprise, leveraging WorkSource Center training and services, LA:RISE participants are placed in permanent jobs within the private or the public sector.